Cell transplantation therapy to repair spinal cord injury
Olfactory glial cell transplantation therapy is effective for repairing spinal cord injury, but the approach needs enhancing to improve outcomes. This project will determine the optimal combination of cell types needed to produce cellular nerve bridges for transplantation into the injury spinal cord. The project will develop new techniques for cell purification and three-dimensional cell nerve bridge production.
Primary supervisor: A/Prof James St John
Other supervisor: Dr Mariyam Murtaza
To apply: Contact A/Prof James St John with your CV at j.stjohn@griffith.edu.au
Cell transplantation and drug options for peripheral nerve repair
Peripheral nerve injuries are devastating as they can result in permanent paralysis. This project will use drug discovery and cell transplantation approaches to develop therapies to treat peripheral nerve injuries in animal models. The interaction of the transplanted cells with the host nerve will be examined and the functional outcomes will be addressed using behavioural and electrophysiological studies.
Primary supervisor: A/Prof James St John
Other supervisor: Dr Tanja Eindorf
To apply: Contact A/Prof James St John with your CV at j.stjohn@griffith.edu.au
Drug discovery to treat Alzheimer’s disease
Pathogens such as bacteria and viruses are likely contributors to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. This project will use drug discovery to identify compounds that can stimulate glial cells of the nervous system to combat chronic pathogen infection of the brain. The project will use in vitro cell cultures and in vivo animal models of brain infection.
Primary supervisor: A/Prof James St John
Other supervisor: A/Prof Rohan Davis
To apply: Contact A/Prof James St John with your CV at j.stjohn@griffith.edu.au